Muscle Cars of the 1960's / Where Did They Go?
A Muscle Car Journal Viewpoint...
All About Horsepower
The name of the game during the 1960's was horsepower. During the early 1960's Carroll Shelby made news by putting a Ford V-8 on an imported Cobra modified frame. Shelby also did groundbreaking work with the Ford Mustang and it's modified Shelby Ford engines (750 HP and more).
You might say that the decade of the 1960's is best remembered as the Muscle Car years and also the Pony Car years. We all remember or have heard of the fabulous muscle cars of the 1960's. Some will say that the muscle car competition was kicked off by Ford's Mustang. Chevrolet followed suit a few years later with the Camaro whose specifications almost matched the Mustang entirely.
Interestingly enough, the muscle car competition between America's automakers included all types of body styles. In some cases , sports cars, trucks, even family cars had the biggest V-8 under their collective hoods. Cubic inches were king and rated power was through the roof. This engine power race lasted for years and then something happened. Something significant occurred. Horsepower began dropping. The story follows of why this happened.
All About SAE Measurements
The 1960's Muscle Car era was all about horsepower and to help sell the cars horsepower was highlighted. The way horsepower was measured contributed to some very high numbers. Horsepower was measured by Gross SAE. This meant that the power was measured at the flywheel with no power-hungry accessories attached. Only the bare essentials were used. Gross SAE horsepower had pushed the listed power up and for automakers and auto dealers this helped sell cars.
Beginning in 1972 SAE Net measurements were phased in. Power was still measured at the flywheel but all the accessories were installed including the full exhaust system, emission controls, all pumps and the alternator. SAE Net . As a result horsepower power ratings dropped. The drop was not standard because every car presented a different situation. Converting gross SAE to net SAE couldn't be reliably done.
If this wasn't bad enough to the horsepower hungry crowd, in 1973 the federal government tightened emission standards and horsepower dropped yet again.
The Insurance Industry Enters the Fray
When insurance companies started to take notice of these very high horsepower ratings, guess what, rates increased. Young drivers under the age of 25 who drove a Pontiac GTO muscle car in 1967 might pay about $700. Remember, those were in 1967 dollars and that type of rate back then was if the driver had a clean driving record. For a good many young drivers that was a game changer.
The Muscle Car Era Peaked in 1970
The year 1970 can safely be used as the year muscle cars reached their peak. After that it was downhill ride. The 1971 models started looking a bit different. Some may say a bit less sleek and a bit more like a family car. In 1972 the engines were being tuned down and the larger engines were becoming fewer and fewer. Even worse, by the mid 1970's muscle cars were not even considered cool.
The oil crisis and higher gas prices of the early 1970's seemed to seal the muscle cars fate. Remember the long lines at service stations. This was the final blow. Gas guzzlers were considered by many to be irresponsible, expensive and unwanted and it didn’t matter how much fun they were. The general discussion at this time was fuel efficiency and reducing smog. The government and insurance companies plus higher gas prices all combined to put an end to the muscle cars of the 60’s and early 70’s.
Engine Horsepower Comparison
What kind of horsepower were the V-8's delivering? The most powerful 351 cubic inch put out 300 hp in 1970 and the 427 cubic inch came through with an astounding 390 hp in 1968. By the year 1973 the most powerful Mustang had a 351 V-8 delivering a mere 156 HP. This was about half of what it had in 1970, and only one horsepower more than the 200 cubic inch six of 1970. The big three had to lower compression and meet federal standards. By the end of the 1970's car's had many smog items attached to them.
The Safety Factor
The safety factor may not have dealt a crushing blow to this era of muscle cars but there was some concern. The federal government did begin to take notice. High speed crashes were publicized. Some of these car crashes were attributed to young inexperienced drivers getting behind the wheel of a 400 horsepower machine. While some states had seat belt laws dating back to the early 1960's, the federal mandate did not take effect until the 1968 model year.
Muscle Car Resurgence
Muscle cars have again become cool. All you have to do is attend an auto show or swap meet and you'll likely see some beautifully restored muscle cars from the 1960's. You'll likely see highly modified versions with original engines being a bit more an exception than the rule.
After the year 2000 some of the big automakers began to bring out some of their big hits from the 60's like the Dodge Charger that came out in 2005. Chrysler had already brought out their new 300C model with it's hemi V-8 and horsepower that ranged from 340 to 425. The Ford Mustang stayed in production from 1964 to this very day. This was the iconic automobile that ushered in the Pony Car era of cars with long hoods and small decks. They still compete in a variety of racing events.
(Article and photos copyright 2015 Muscle Car Journal)
All About Horsepower
The name of the game during the 1960's was horsepower. During the early 1960's Carroll Shelby made news by putting a Ford V-8 on an imported Cobra modified frame. Shelby also did groundbreaking work with the Ford Mustang and it's modified Shelby Ford engines (750 HP and more).
You might say that the decade of the 1960's is best remembered as the Muscle Car years and also the Pony Car years. We all remember or have heard of the fabulous muscle cars of the 1960's. Some will say that the muscle car competition was kicked off by Ford's Mustang. Chevrolet followed suit a few years later with the Camaro whose specifications almost matched the Mustang entirely.
 |
| 68 Olds 442 |
All About SAE Measurements
The 1960's Muscle Car era was all about horsepower and to help sell the cars horsepower was highlighted. The way horsepower was measured contributed to some very high numbers. Horsepower was measured by Gross SAE. This meant that the power was measured at the flywheel with no power-hungry accessories attached. Only the bare essentials were used. Gross SAE horsepower had pushed the listed power up and for automakers and auto dealers this helped sell cars.
Beginning in 1972 SAE Net measurements were phased in. Power was still measured at the flywheel but all the accessories were installed including the full exhaust system, emission controls, all pumps and the alternator. SAE Net . As a result horsepower power ratings dropped. The drop was not standard because every car presented a different situation. Converting gross SAE to net SAE couldn't be reliably done.
If this wasn't bad enough to the horsepower hungry crowd, in 1973 the federal government tightened emission standards and horsepower dropped yet again.
 |
| 69 Dodge Charger |
The Insurance Industry Enters the Fray
When insurance companies started to take notice of these very high horsepower ratings, guess what, rates increased. Young drivers under the age of 25 who drove a Pontiac GTO muscle car in 1967 might pay about $700. Remember, those were in 1967 dollars and that type of rate back then was if the driver had a clean driving record. For a good many young drivers that was a game changer.
The Muscle Car Era Peaked in 1970
The year 1970 can safely be used as the year muscle cars reached their peak. After that it was downhill ride. The 1971 models started looking a bit different. Some may say a bit less sleek and a bit more like a family car. In 1972 the engines were being tuned down and the larger engines were becoming fewer and fewer. Even worse, by the mid 1970's muscle cars were not even considered cool.
 |
| 65 Shelby GT-40 |
Engine Horsepower Comparison
What kind of horsepower were the V-8's delivering? The most powerful 351 cubic inch put out 300 hp in 1970 and the 427 cubic inch came through with an astounding 390 hp in 1968. By the year 1973 the most powerful Mustang had a 351 V-8 delivering a mere 156 HP. This was about half of what it had in 1970, and only one horsepower more than the 200 cubic inch six of 1970. The big three had to lower compression and meet federal standards. By the end of the 1970's car's had many smog items attached to them.
 |
| 69 Ford Torino GT |
The safety factor may not have dealt a crushing blow to this era of muscle cars but there was some concern. The federal government did begin to take notice. High speed crashes were publicized. Some of these car crashes were attributed to young inexperienced drivers getting behind the wheel of a 400 horsepower machine. While some states had seat belt laws dating back to the early 1960's, the federal mandate did not take effect until the 1968 model year.
Muscle Car Resurgence
Muscle cars have again become cool. All you have to do is attend an auto show or swap meet and you'll likely see some beautifully restored muscle cars from the 1960's. You'll likely see highly modified versions with original engines being a bit more an exception than the rule.
After the year 2000 some of the big automakers began to bring out some of their big hits from the 60's like the Dodge Charger that came out in 2005. Chrysler had already brought out their new 300C model with it's hemi V-8 and horsepower that ranged from 340 to 425. The Ford Mustang stayed in production from 1964 to this very day. This was the iconic automobile that ushered in the Pony Car era of cars with long hoods and small decks. They still compete in a variety of racing events.
(Article and photos copyright 2015 Muscle Car Journal)
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